SDR-14 Users out there? & Ques..

[osros]

Hey,

Just broke out the old gear getting ready to setup a shack again. I have a couple of issues with my SDR-14 setup and looking for other users of the unit or help from anyone.

Firstly I had this setup back in the day when the SDR-14 was still avail and all seem to work fine so I'm not sure if i have a hardware issues or a SW issue, here is what I got

AOR A5000A +3, SDR-14 is the setup and here is how its performing. I had a list of what worked and what did not worked but after a final test here are my results and looks like SW.

SpectraVue = Works with SDR14 as standalone HF, Works with radio control, A5000A + SDR14 on IF 10.7mhz output on HF and above as spectrum analyzer.

SDR Radio/Console = Works with SDR14 as standalone HF, With A5000A + SDR14 on IF 10.7mhz output seems deaf on HF and all freqs. to expand on this when used with external radio control the connection creates a popping noise on the radio and effects the signal on screen.

WinRad 1.6 = Cannot get this SW to work with SDR14 would start and stop immediately when SDR is selected. It does work is soundcard mode. This used to work if i recall.

Since SpectraVue seems to work all around I'm guessing the hardware and IF output is good. SDR Radio is frustrating me being what seems to go deaf I can get it to hear but only if I key up a radio can see it on screen but anything else further/weaker has no effect even a strong NOAA signal nothing. Am I trying to use SDR Radio the wrong way since it seems to only work ok directly with the SDR in HF?

Basically that's it I like to use the external radio control and SDR14 in a HF & VHF/UHF to see spectrum using one SW package. I could swear this used to work with SDR Radio but now SpectaVue is my only option, I like the features of SDR Radio and really want to use that or similar.

Any help appreciated.

EDIT/UPDATE
I just tried HDSDR which looks alot like Winrad but better. Anyway HDSDR is acting just like SDR Radio with the popping when radio control is used, and deaf, something is just trashing it. Only common factor I can see is the use of OmniRig for radio control. Spectravue does not use it and earlier versions of all this SW if I recall did not use it either. I wonder if there is something there. Anyone has similar results?

 

[ka3jjz]

While I don't own a SDR-14, the PC plays a critical role in this world - so what were you running when things were working, and what about now? From your description, this seems like the place to start...Mike

 

[osros]

While I don't own a SDR-14, the PC plays a critical role in this world - so what were you running when things were working, and what about now? From your description, this seems like the place to start...Mike

PC is a dual core 2.0Gig 1Gig Ram, its a shuttle type pc that's what I been using all along no change.

In my testing now more has gone wrong. with the basic setup that was working seems not working anymore certain HF ranges are dead and get odd variations of data signals on screen, its not usual signal from HF. I disconnected the Ant from the SDR input and a slight change but the same anomaly is still there I should not be getting anything on screen like Im getting now without Ant. I believe the SDR has now failed on me while doing all these
tests.

I don't have another to compare atm so kinda stuck will continue to figure out whats going on but this is now a new problem. I wonder if this can be sent back to RFspace to check and calibrate.

In any case this working or not I think I will be in the market for a new SDR something wideband. Will look around, any recommendations on a good quality unit.

 

[ka3jjz]

Check out the extensive links to reviews - of various levels - in the SDR wiki.....

Software Defined Radios - The RadioReference Wiki

If you're looking at just HF, you would be hard pressed to find one better than the Elad FDM-S2 - except for perhaps the Perseus, but that's really getting up there in price. We have a few members here that use the Elad and really like it...Mike

 

[osros]

Ok found my new problem, was the SMA connector coming loose but still attached on one end, so signal not getting through of course, so back to the original problem.

Here is what I found on the original problems.

OmniRig is causing noise on my AR5000 when it is activated. That popping is really more of a pulse or timing signal which the AR5000 seems to be sensitive too, It causes the needle to move and a noticeable pop half sec or so, pop, pop, pop pop, This effects everything the needle, you can hear it, you can see on SDR screen. I can decrease its timing by adjusting the Poll Int, ms in OmniRig to max which spreads out the pop to 2sec, but anyway very annoying. I blame OmniRig because other software that uses its own comms interface to control radio that does not use OmniRig I have no such interference and all seems fine.

SDR Radio/Console, I cannot get this to work in anything other than direct to SDR in HF only. As a VHF/UHF spectrum display using IF output it goes deaf on screen Plus since it uses OmniRing have the added interference.

WInRad 1.6 I stop using replaced with HDSDR and was able to configure this SW properly to work with the SDR14 and radio control but again OmniRig is in use same effects here too.

The only thing that works in all aspects is SpectraVue, but damn I dislike that GUI and control. and lacks a lot of features.

Not sure what else to try to fix this interference.

I will look over the links thanks, I do want one unit to handle all a wideband SDR or a unit that can do more than 190khz spectrum view from my IF output on the AR5000. If I'm not wrong just as I'm using the SDR14 now with IF output to view VHF/UHF I'm hoping I can do the same with other HF SDRs just want more range than the 190.

 

[osros]

Check out the extensive links to reviews - of various levels - in the SDR wiki.....

Software Defined Radios - The RadioReference Wiki

If you're looking at just HF, you would be hard pressed to find one better than the Elad FDM-S2 - except for perhaps the Perseus, but that's really getting up there in price. We have a few members here that use the Elad and really like it...Mike

Just took a look at the FDM-S2 like what I see. Also reading review thread on the unit and all seems to like it. I may jump on that thread with a few questions.

Thanks